Dash Cam Video Records Ohio Twp. Officers Saving Man's Life
OHIO TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- Police in Ohio Township are being credited with saving a man's life after they found him unconscious, with no pulse while still behind the wheel of his car over the weekend.
On Saturday afternoon, police got a call about an erratic driver. Moments later, they spotted the vehicle involved on McAleer Road, and police dash cam video recorded what happened.
Officers found the car on the side of the road. Inside was the driver, his head back and unresponsive.
"He reaches in for a pulse, he feels no pulse, he unstraps the individual," said Ohio Township Police Chief Norbert Micklos.
Officer Steve Panormios, an eight-year veteran of the force, jumped into action. He remained calm, retrieved an AED kit from his patrol car, and immediately began trying to get a pulse.
"I think that's when your training kicks in," said Chief Micklos. "Your instinct kicks in to just save people."
The officer then started chest compressions. The new method of CPR does not include blowing into the mouth. The officer keeps pressing until slowly the victim raises his hand.
"He regained a pulse on the individual," Chief Micklos said. "Another medic arrived and applied some oxygen until other medics arrived."
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Medics then transported the unidentified 46-year-old to the hospital. Police do not believe he was admitted. Although the responding officer initially thought he man was having heart-related issues, the man confessed to paramedics something different.
"We later found out from a conversation with the medics that he had snorted a bag of heroin earlier," said Chief Micklos.
The officer couldn't use Narcan because the man had no pulse, which is needed to push the antidote through the body.
Police say the man won't be charged in the incident. He did call police earlier on Tuesday to thank the officer involved for literally saving his life.
"Under the circumstances, he did save a life," Chief Micklos said.
